Why Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford is so good – and where he could go next

Sunderland’ s 10-year stay in Premier League might be limping to a pitiful end, but for their 23 year old goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, the journey has only just begun, writes David Preece

His performance at the Emirates on Tuesday night was typical of his part in Sunderland’s two-man resistance against relegation that was futile at best.

But for Pickford and Jermain Defoe, the game would have been up long before the defeat to Bournemouth sealed their fate.

Pickford’s future has become a matter of when not if he leaves this summer, with no shortage of clubs waiting to top the £24 million received for Darren Bent in 2011.

Pickford takes flight against Arsenal (Photo: Getty)

The best case scenario for Sunderland now is for a bidding war to ensue and for whoever is in charge next season to reinvest the money back into a squad in desperate need of a facelift.

In fact, a move for Pickford would be the best for all concerned. This has been no meteoric rise for the Washington-born keeper and it is that, in part, that has played a key role in his success despite the turmoil in front of him.

He has made his way incrementally through the ranks at Sunderland via loan spells at Darlington, Alfreton, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City and Preston North End.

Making 116 first team appearances across the football league and below before his Sunderland debut has allowed him to develop his game more freely.

A lack of fear

You can analyse his game over the last four years and see the improvement made with every step up he has made. At Alfreton he came for crosses and high balls in the box with a confidence sometimes knocked out of inexperienced keepers at that level by the physicality of opponents looking to unnerve and exploit them.

The quality of the ball may not match the delivery of the Premier League, but the opportunity to come and take the balls is there more often, and therefore an excellent breeding ground for keepers to master that part of the game.

“His diving shape is excellent. Solid and efficient with few needless movements like jumping into his set position or exaggerated arms swinging backwards”

Hull City peppered his box with crosses recently and although not all were cleanly dealt with, the bravery in his decisions to come was always there.

What he does naturally is free himself of the fear of “what if?” and any hesitation.

Recently in the defeat to Swansea City, he paid the price for his enthusiasm to take responsibility in situations he will later learn to leave to his defenders, but it’s in these errors that you see his true strength.

Just as the best strikers are unnerved by the last missed chance, not only does he look unaffected, he seems to improve.

Pickford’s future has become a matter of when not if he leaves this summer (Photo: Getty)

The Arsenal game followed that error of judgement and his response was perfect. What it also illustrated were the strengths in his technique too, both with his hands and his feet.

With 11 saves he showed his excellent diving shape. Solid and efficient with few needless movements like jumping into his set position or exaggerated arms swinging backwards, as he prepares to deal with shots.

The distribution of a playmaker

But it’s with his feet that Pickford excels. Tuesday game wasn’t the best example of this, but in many games this season he has been the most composed player in his side.

“Pickford’s pass to Defoe and the striker’s deft control left everyone drooling, and this is what will turn the head of the clubs who play a razor-sharp counter game”

He has dealt with back passes that aren’t the most considered with the calm head of a playmaker, and despite the reluctance of some of his teammates to offer themselves, he accepts his role almost with glee.

Sunderland have been short of attacking intent this season, and Pickford’s delivery from his hands has been the one staple outlet. And what an outlet it is.

Goalkeeping seems to lend itself to fetishism more than any other position on the pitch. The obsession over details becomes an occupation but you don’t have to be a goalkeeper to appreciate the technique of his side-volley passes.

Pickford’s pass to Defoe and the striker’s deft control left everyone drooling, and this is what will turn the head of the clubs who play a razor-sharp counter game that requires the precision of that first pass.

In one v one situations again he is strong. Almost like an ice hockey goaltender, he closes down the space opponents have to aim at without flinching and losing the game of nerves.

“He will vie with Jack Butland in the fight to be England’s next number one”

Where he could end up

Of the top seven clubs, six could potentially be looking for keepers this summer, with Everton and Manchester City the most in need, and his game certainly would suit both.

Jurgen Klopp recently ruled out a move for Joe Hart but with Pickford’s positivity in dealing with crosses and Liverpool’s aversion to defending them, he’d be foolish not to consider the Sunderland keeper.

Wherever he ends up playing next season, that club will be in possession of a goalkeeper who will vie with Jack Butland in the fight to be England’s next number one.

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